Taking the Waters

On our way to Death Valley via Tecopa Hot Springs, we decided to take a side trip to Zzyzx—pronounced ZYE-zix.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zzyzx,_California









The resort was founded in the early 20th century as part of the healing ministry of a “roll your own” protestant evangelist. He built the cottages and swimming pool at the edge of Soda Dry Lake and used the naturally hot spring waters for his guests to bathe in. You can still see the abandoned pool with its wheel chair ramps down into the waters and crumbling cottages where people stayed. The main building is still maintained and is occasionally used for meetings. Huell Howser did an excellent show about Zzyzx for “California’s Gold.” Meanwhile, here are some pictures of this beautiful spot. The desert peaks surrounding the dry lake had touches of snow on them but at the old spa, it was just glorious sun and pristine air. I could feel my health improving just standing amidst the ruins.


Within 15 minutes of pulling into Peterson’s RV Park I was “taking the waters.” It was wonderful! The water comes out of the ground at about 105o and the minerals make it feel silky. After the Waters, there was just enough time to mix a drink and get to the clubhouse for Happy Hour. Most of the people have wintered here for years—they come and stay for as long as six months. They all swear to the healing powers of the Waters. As yet, though, there are no crutches or walkers nailed to the sides of the bath house.

As usual, everyone was very friendly and welcoming. Plans are being made for the New Years Eve party tomorrow. Everyone is supposed to bring finger food. I just might find a use for the (now) 15 cans of Vienna sausage we hauled down here. We intended to give it to the monks’ food pantry but forgot. Perhaps if the sausages marinate overnight in a nice sauce they could be palatable. I think 12 cans of Vienna sausages with a festive toothpick in each sausage might be just the potluck contribution!

Some Monk Chanted Evening,...

On the road again! It is wonderful to exchange the chaos of the house for the familiar tidiness of the Minnie. It was good to see the monks again after our longest absence in 10 years. They have their own anxieties to deal with since they have sold the monastery to the Coptic monks and now need to find a new home. A property down in Banning looks very good if they can raise the money to help them resettle.

http://www.hrmonline.org/

It seemed so usual to park the RV in our customary spot behind the outdoor chapel. In addition to catching up with what the monks have been doing we got the chance to visit with a friend who might best be described as a native desert original. To protect his identity, I’ll just call him “Frank.” “Frank’s” life could be the inspiration for 3 generations of Country/Western music. He drives whatever pick-up truck is running at the time, his Grandma taught him the Bible, and yes, he has done time in prison for a crime he didn’t do. Well, he did it but if ever the “Texas Defense” applied, it was in this situation.

“Frank’s” Christmas was ruined when an ex-girlfriend appealed to his chivalrous nature to help her rescue her cat which was being held hostage by an angry boyfriend. Since “Frank” had a soft spot for said cat he went to the lady’s aid. The belligerent boyfriend who had been swigging down entirely too much Christmas cheer was threatening to burn the cat alive. Apparently there was some aggression but the cat and girl were rescued. And how was the noble “Frank” repaid? The ungrateful wench went back to the abusive boyfriend and then filed a false police report on “Frank.”

By the time “Frank” had been sprung from the hoosegow all his friends had eaten every morsel of the grand Christmas spread provided by “Frank’s” employer. Nothin’ worse for a man than a cold-hearted, ungrateful woman. However, I was very impressed by “Frank’s” ability to grasp the mathematical nuances of the Three Strikes sentencing laws in California as well as the breadth of his knowledge of jailhouse law. I also learned a new expression—“Choo Choo Charlie.” One need not elaborate any further. Desert folk can be a tough crowd and I’m glad we can call “Frank” a friend!

Very Close to White Christmas

24o!!! I fear for the plumeria, the lime tree and the orchids. But the beauty of the frost! The ice on the manzanita reminded me of the glacier snaking its way into Glacier Bay.




















Even Miss Tiggie Winkle got a dusting of the crystals.



























http://www.citizenlink.org/Stoplight/A000005834.cfm


A Cyber Friend sent me the above link. It is a great little video about TOSSMAS--what to do with all the "holiday" catalogs that clog the mailbox this time of year. If it's for a 'holiday' it gets TOSSED! I think I'm noticing a slight increase in the use of MERRY CHRISTMAS this year. Lowe's even mentions the "hush hush" word. Congratulations to them!



The first robbery and pillage of the American taxpayer was for approximately 800 billion dollars. Somehow this is supposed to help "us." But what if 300 million of US got one million dollars each? That would be about 300 trillion dollars. Have you tried to find out how many residential mortgage loans there are? In 2006 it amounted to $3.267 trillion in residential loans that originated in the U.S How many people have their homes paid off? How many people have more than one mortgage? Do we trust the politicians to handle a sum of money that is so large the calculator on your cell phone can't handle the number of zeroes?? Can you even count the zeroes without losing your place?
Just wondering......


And one more thing--are the same people who think Caroline Kennedy is the most gifted person in New York to be a US Senator the same people who think Sarah Palin is an unqualified provincial yokel? Odd how that works. One comes from parents who value marriage and their faith, who attends church and is invested in having a Christian home, who put herself through college and who goes to work everyday. And the other---well, we all know about those family values.

Global Cooling Arrives

Californians don't do well when the mercury drops below 65o. We have to forego the sandals and lightweight hoodies for real clothes. Add gray skies to the restrictive clothing and you get an entire state full of people who feel uneasy that the world is about to go very, very bad.

We got snow last night! A little bit--ok, a light dusting in one spot on a hill we can see from the backyard. But it's still snow. And the temperature is not getting above 37o. Normally this would be cause for hunkering down in the house and unpacking more boxes but a trip to the paint store was necessary.




















On the way to Kelly Moore I heard a politician named GOMER presenting a great idea for the financial crisis! He wants the government to give taxpayers a 'tax holiday' for 2 months. What a great idea! It's far better than the billions the crooks in congress siphoned over to their banking buddies! It would be direct help to those of us being asked to foot the bill for their intentional, greedy incompetence. We need to get behind GOMER on this one!

As my granddaddy would say about the government, "At least Jesse James used a gun!"

Not a Good Day

Ever have a really bad day? Does this one qualify?

First of all, Byrdie stepped in a--how do you say--drop offering and dragged in into the house on one of her paws. Surprise by the doggy door and lots of clean up throughout the house. Oh yeah--and paw clean up after catching up with her.

Then the garage door opener broke. Oh well--we can deal with that. There's still no room in the garage anyway because it's still stacked with boxes of books.

The Hallmark ornaments are still lost.

Next I tried to heat up Costco baby back ribs in the oven. Yes, the same oven that malfunctioned on Thanksgiving Day. How was I to know that the plastic pan was only for the microwave? It melted all over the oven and then caught fire. What a mess! No ribs tonight.

And, to top it off, the first person calling to inquire about renting the condo wants me to allow her to have her dog. The ad said specifically NO PETS! But this is a CERTIFIED Service Dog--a five pound pomeranian. Oh puh-leese--gimme a break!!!

Oh well--tomorrow is another day!

We Say Merry Christmas!

While O'Reilly first advertised these bumper stickers, one has to purchase $20.00 worth of merchandise to get the thing. So--off to Ebay where I was able to get one for $2.00 plus shipping. I'm still on the rant about displacing Christmas for the generic, inferior word 'holiday.'

Meanwhile, the Christmas season is observed even if the boxes surround us like a fortress. 20,000 pounds of junk and what is missing? One box of very special Christmas ornaments. My mother had given me a dated Hallmark ornament every year since 1969. THAT is the missing box. How can it be? More junk has shown up. Box after box of unwanted accumulation has been trekked up to the Condo for the Grande Estate Sale. But the one box I wanted is nowhere to be found. What will it take to itemize 39 Hallmark ornaments and file a claim with the moving company?

What I found in the 20 boxes of Christmas decorations that did make the move was an unopened, artificial Christmas tree. I had forgotten buying it a few years ago when a particularly great deal came along.

So Mr. T went to work assembling it. We should have stayed with the fresh trees! This tree is HUGE! What was I thinking? I couldn't even lift a section of it. When it was finally all unsquished and spread out and plugged in, it was 7 1/2' high with 1600 lights!!! Now if we only had some ornaments it would look quite grand.

Get out the bears--

Don't forget the Advent Wreath for this year--

Lest anyone think it is all Deck the Halls and Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel around here let me put that notion to rest.

As difficult as it is to understand, I was overcome by a powerful craving for VIENNA SAUSAGES while in Costco this week. Since it was Costco I had to buy a case of 18 cans. But I didn't care--I think the entire case only cost $6.00!

When I got home I immediately heated up one can, scarfed it down, and vaguely wondered what I would do with the other 17 cans. I shouldn't have worried.

Byrdie managed to knock the case onto the floor and snag a can for herself. I found her with the mauled and punctured can of Vienna Sausage in the middle of the new Persian carpet! Why bother with anything?

Labradoodles, missing ornaments, looming Estate Sale, drowning in boxes--a small life goes on. But it's a life that says MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Playing Spoiler with the Christmas Secularists

Leafing through the Jackson and Perkins catalog I stumbled across this ad for mailing a live, fully decorated CHRISTMAS tree. Only they didn't call it a CHRISTMAS tree--big mistake. I have taken to my bed after too much action on Thanksgiving. That gives me time on my hands and a 'tude to match!

ORIGINAL AD FOR "HOLIDAY" TREE

Perfectly decorated live trees, right out of the box! Our live holiday trees are beautifully pre-decorated with handcrafted ornaments and lights, ready to display the moment they arrive.

Subject: Customer ServiceTopic: Product information

Dear Jackson & Perkins:

'The correct term is CHRISTMAS TREE. Your offensive use of 'holiday' tree turned me off completely on ordering one of your CHRISTMAS trees for my mother. You are doing your own sales department a disservice in trying to re-name such a traditional custom for this time of year.When you change from your misguided sense of what is "PC", I might consider buying CHRISTMAS gifts from your company.

Sincerely,

Toc

Dear Toc,

Jackson and Perkins Thank you so much for contacting us here at Jackson and Perkins! We value our customers’ comments and questions highly, and we appreciate hearing from you.We often refer to the holidays as the gift-giving season from Thanksgivings to New Year. Because of this extended period of time, you may find items offered as holiday gifts or Christmas gifts. In our most recent newsletter, you will find both terms used. It was not our intention to offend any of our customers.

Again, thank you for writing to us. If you have any further questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us. To help us serve you better, please use the Reply button to respond so that all previous communications will be included. Thank you for gardening with Jackson and Perkins!

Angie Jackson and Perkins Customer Contact Team2

I see they use the auto-response generator to placate customers. I will point this out to them.

Subject: Re: Feedback Form for JacksonAndPerkins

Dear Angie,

No one in the world uses a "holiday" tree except for a CHRISTMAS tree. That's my objection--that's the reason I will not buy one from you. A holiday turkey? OK. A holiday decoration? OK. But it is a CHRISTMAS tree!!!! No other holiday uses one!

The main function of language--except for politicians--is to clarify. It is always preferable to use a more specific word rather than a word that "fogs" the meaning. Christmas is more specific than holiday. What you are selling is a tree for Christmas--not for any other occasion. So, I repeat--I find your unwillingness to use the word 'Christmas'--especially in this context--offensive and I refuse to purchase one for my mother.

Sincerely,

Toc

From Jackson & Perkins

Dear Cynthia,(WHO IS CYNTHIA? My name is Toc)

Thank you for your reply. These trees are most often Christmas trees on our web site. Our newsletters may say holiday gifts and trees or Christmas gifts and trees. I'm sorry to learn that you were offended by our use of the tern holiday tree. It was not our intention to be offensive in any way.

Again, thank you for writing to us. If you have any further questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us. To help us serve you better, please use the Reply button to respond so that all previous communications will be included. Thank you for gardening with Jackson and Perkins!

EvaJ ackson and Perkins Customer Contact Team2

Dear Eva

You must be getting more complaints about your use of "holiday" trees than just my emails. You just sent me the same automated response--which is to say--a non-response. So much for how you deal with your customers. If you are generating enough negative response to your use of "holiday" tree, isn't that a hint to your marketing department that they are offending a significant part of your customer base?

Sincerely,

Toc

Apparently Eva decided the correspondence was over for now. But encouraging news! Today's mail brought my WE SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS bumper sticker that I got on Ebay.

Happy Thanksgiving

General Thanksgiving

By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America
A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

(signed) G. Washington
Source: The Massachusetts Centinel, Wednesday, October 14, 1789

To Catch a Rat

The "basement" must be cleaned out. We don't have real basements in California but it's a space under the house with a wooden floor and you can stand up in it. Over the years the boxes have done that entropy thing that junk does so well and we've noticed signs of mice--which is just a nice word for rats.

Setting a standard SNAP mouse trap is beyond my technical ability--remember the iPod??? So I thought a simple Google search might reveal if there has been a better mousetrap invented.

I discovered a new world!! One side of this world is occupied by homeopathic Rat Remedies that will only discourage our little friends to go elsewhere. The other side is populated by Rambos who take the dispatching of rats very seriously. Here is a sampling of the products I found.

Victor Electronic Rat Trap

3 plate design reduces escapes, providing a 90% kill rate

Applies 8,500 volts to kill even large rats

Green indicator light flashes for up to 24 hours indicating a kill;

Red indicator light flashes when batteries are low

One set of 4 "C" batteries will kill approximately 12 rats

Rat Zapper UltraProduct

Approximately 40 kills from one set of batteries

Flashing kill indicator light

Free Lifetime Tech Support at

888 DEAD RAT

Note: Gift-wrapping is not available for this item. (Amazon) NOT AVAILABLE GIFT WRAPPED?? GASP!!!!

Approximately 10 kills per battery set. (Forget it--get the Energizer for the 40 kills!!)

Operates on 4 "AA" Batteries (Not Included).

Flashing kill indicator light (you never have to see the dead rodent!).

About 30 kills with Energizer E2 Lithium batteries. Clean (no blood, no gore).

The Rat Zapper uses advanced electronic technology to deliver a deadly shock to mice and rats When the rodent goes for the food, it steps on a kill plate. The system senses the rodent's presence, the delivers enough electrical energy to quickly kill the rodent.
Optional Rat Tale(sic)

(Monitoring device) available. (When you have a dead rat, a fake tail shows up alerting you to your kill!)

Can there be a choice? 40 kills versus 12 kills? Lifetime tech support at DEADRAT??? Of course I immediately ordered my Rat Zapper from Ebay. I hope it comes with the "Tail Alert" feature!

(And here is the link if you want to try a peppermint oil concoction and very lame rat catch and release using an old toilet paper roll--I am not making this up.)

http://glass.typepad.com/journal/2005/09/how_to_catch_a_.html

Rude Roots

I ventured outside the perimeter of SeniorLand to run some errands and get my hair done. What could be more normal than this type of activity?

The beauty shop is just one room--a cozy parlor in an old Victorian house. In this room are 2 stations, 1 sink, and 2 chairs for clients to wait. In other words, if you're in the room, you are in the action!


As I waited for my operator to take me, another patron was getting pretty worked up about the recent election and doing quite a trash job on Sarah Palin. This was annoying since the atmosphere was too public for such a topic. But obviously her mama hadn't raised her right.


Inevitably I was included in this "discussion" and I was asked to agree. I piped up that in fact, I didn't agree and had voted for Sarah Palin.

The beauty shop went silent. Then the plastic-draped, red-dye dripping, wet-headed woman turned in her chair and looking straight at me demanded,

"ARE YOU DELUSIONAL???"

Well! How does one handle such a blatant attack upon one's character in public? I simply replied that I was a conservative--VERY conservative.


I didn't make any apologies and I glared back at her. Evidently she expected me to be apologetic for my views and when I wasn't, she wasn't sure how to proceed. Trying to have a political discussion--or even a free-for-all while having one's roots touched up is not the best venue.

But what is society coming to? A personal attack in the safety of one's beauty salon? One can barely cope.

The Rummage Sale

After a day in bed recovering, I am prepared to report on the windfall profits I reaped. It took about 4 hours to sort, sift, clean and price 5 box loads of junk--I mean recyclables. (BTW, the dictionary informs me there is no such word as 'recyclables') The morning of the Big Sale I was up early so I could be first through the doors to set up at 9 am. I only had one hour and if it weren't for the plastic wagon--with one wheel broken by the movers--I couldn't have done it. The wagon held one box at a time--so there were 5 trips from the Jeep in the parking lot to the table in the hall. I was dangerously pre-vapors by 9:30 am!

The hoardes of buyers were allowed in 10 minutes early because the organizers of the Rummage Sale obviously didn't hire the local talent (Hall Monitors) to guard the doors. Since the masses simply decided they'd waited long enough outside they just crashed the Rummage Sale and the mob ruled. The one time the Hall Monitors of SeniorLand could have done a service, they were nowhere to be found. As in life, good manners and gentility were defeated by sheer numbers of people with a mission.

There were 51 tables and I didn't get a chance to see what anyone was selling other than my immediate neighbors. For an hour and a half, I was busy wrapping up breakables and collecting my dollars. My business practice was to put ones and fives in my right pocket and everything else in my left. The surprise would come when I finally got home to add up my excessive profiteering. This was in stark contrast to a friend whose accountant husband had come to lend a hand and could give her a running tally of expenses, profit, inflation, inventory and the price of gold at any given moment.

The most amusing moment was when THREE Russians all showed up at my table at the same time. I was selling a little wooden onion dome 'made in Russia' bell. It was painted in those beautiful blues and golds and it had a little eastern cross on the top. Russian #1 asked me something in Russian and drew a blank from me--then he pointed to the ornament and asked something else. I must have still looked puzzled (I'd answered "Alaska") because he then pulled out a cross on a long chain he was wearing and began waving it. At this point the other two Russians showed up . I was catching on because I took out the cross I was wearing and began waving it at Russian #1. This inspired Russians #3 & 4 to take out their crosses and begin waving them. All this cross waving engendered such a feeling of goodwill all around that when I realized they all wanted the same item, I said I would now entertain bids on the onion dome. The cross-waving ceased and the line was drawn. Then--in a flash--the competition disappeared and they began, "No--I wouldn't think of it. You were here first. You must have it" followed by, "I couldn't possibly-- YOU were here first--it is yours." Seeing my profit evaporating, I declared the bauble SOLD to Russian #1.

A more poignant moment was the very elderly French lady who was going through the CDs I was selling. I had 2 sets of French songs and her eyes began to tear up as she read the titles. In a thick French accent she told me her happy memories of when she was a young girl in Paris. She toddled off to find her daughter and came back with a dollar to buy one of the CDs. Over the morning she returned twice to look at the remaining CD. Finally I just gave it to her, explaining that the music would make her happy whereas I was selling it because the music made me sad. I told her how my daughter had just moved to France for three years and I couldn't listen to French music right now. Those CDs found the right home.

Although the sale was supposed to last for 3 hours people were growing tired and wanted their lunches and naps. By noon, people were closing up shop and calling it a day. Two hours of heavy bartering and selling had taken its toll on me as well. I only had less than one box of inventory which I could donate simply by leaving it there. I brought home a few Homer Laughlin china pieces that I didn't want going to those who might not know what it is.

http://www.hlcca.org/

I left the Rummage Sale at 1:15 pm and by 1:30 pm was in bed with a gin and tonic, counting up the fruits of the capitialistic system that has made this country so great--past tense, I feel I must add. (I believe we have passed over into a socialistic system since the Great Taxpayer Rip-Off aka "bailout" was signed by President Bush a few weeks ago. But that's another post)

Sipping my G&T and swooning against my propped-up pillows, I counted my dollar bills. I had a grand total of ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY EIGHT DOLLARS!!! Minus my initial outlay of $10.00 for the table at the sale and totally discounting the cost of my time and energy, I had a profit of $128.00. The entertainment factor for the morning was high. The effort wasn't worth it. Next year I shall apply for government assistence to compensate me for NOT doing the work. It is the new American Way.

The Boomers Are Coming to SeniorLand

The Renovations to the new house are finally mostly complete. I think you'll see the modest remodeling we did paid off handsomely.

I overheard a conversation at the pool the other day. The two women chatting were in their 80ies.

"I saw a couple the other day."

"Buying a house?"

"Yes, on our street. It's not the first time either."

"Well, I guess we better start getting ready for them."

Turns out they were talking about Boomers! I introduced myself as a Boomer who had recently bought a house here in SeniorLand. And their response? Not "pleased to meet you" or "welcome" BUT "Do you think your generation is ever going to get your act together?"

Okay--there you have it. But--we have our first official position here in SeniorLand. We are block captains for the Emergency Preparedness Team! Now I know it's because we both drive and no one is on oxygen yet but still--there you have it.

They could not have selected a better couple. I have my apocalyptic vehicle(Trail-rated 4x4 Jeep Quadra Drive II hemi 5.7 litre engine), gas masks bought immediately after 9/11, a good supply of Cipro(stocked since the last anthrax scare), innumerable first aid kits, hand-cranked flashlights and radios, space blankets, CB radios, and a shelf's worth of survival books. I will keep you posted if we are ever called upon to assume the mantle of leadership in an emergency.

Most of the basic house updating is completed. The number of unpacked boxes is dwindling--althought it's difficult to tell from the mess in every room. The doggy door is in but not the steps so if the dogs try and use their door, they have a steep drop of about 4 feet. The labradoodle can manage it--she's just slow to remember--but the poodle can't get back in the house. Ahhhh, the learning curve between breeds has never been more obvious.

And for those of you who couldn't imagine 2 slices of garlic bread from 2005 looking still edible, here is photo evidence for you.

Okay, Okay--before I start getting the comments--this is what our house really looks like!(The other "cottage" is a winery across the street!